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Explain the connection between Edward Said's 'culture and Imperialism 'and 'Orientalism'.

Question

Explain the connection between Edward Said's 'culture and Imperialism' and 'Orientalism'.

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Solution

Edward Said, a prominent literary and cultural critic, is well-known for his works "Culture and Imperialism" and "Orientalism". These two books are interconnected in their exploration of how Western societies perceive and interact with non-Western cultures.

  1. "Orientalism": In this book, Said introduces the concept of "Orientalism". He argues that the Western perception of the East (the Orient) is not based on an understanding of its cultures, societies, and people. Instead, it is a constructed image that serves the political, economic, and social interests of the West. This image of the Orient is often exotic, backward, uncivilized, and at times dangerous. Said argues that this distorted view is not accidental but is a product of colonialism and imperialism, where it was used to justify the domination and control of the East by the West.

  2. "Culture and Imperialism": In this later work, Said expands on the ideas introduced in "Orientalism". He explores how culture is used as a tool of imperialism. Said argues that Western literature and culture often present imperialist ideas and values as normal and even desirable. This cultural imperialism not only helps to maintain control over colonized peoples but also shapes the identity and perception of the colonizers themselves.

In conclusion, the connection between "Culture and Imperialism" and "Orientalism" lies in Said's exploration of how the West constructs and uses images of the East to serve its own interests. While "Orientalism" focuses on the creation of these images, "Culture and Imperialism" looks at how these images are disseminated and normalized through culture.

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